330d control arm part q

DanF

DanF

DanF

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Joined
16 Feb 2004
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Location
London
Hi,

BMW quoted me £300 for fitting and then a further £316 for 4 wheel alignment to get the control arms replaced on my 330d touring 54 plate. This seems like I'm expected to bend over and whisper a prayer.

Looking on the GSF site they list 2 part numbers for the front control arms:

B42038--CONTROL ARM L/H-BQ--E46--86.50
B42038A--CONTROL ARM L/H--E46 (Inc. Ball Joints)--52.50

The car apparently has the uprated m sport suspension, any idea if one of these parts would be appropriate for my car and what's the difference between them (ie BQ)?

Also the m sport suspension, does that change the control arms or is it just a damper and lower spring kit that they fit from the factory?
 
Exactly, my old local garage let me use the alignment tool for free.

They also said ...

tired starter motor £460 sir
front disks a bit worn £300 odd
rear disks slightly corroded £250 ish
best to replace the pads if your changing the disks ...
whiper blades smearing £46

Going to price up the parts for the control arms and call around some local places, I'm sure the disks are completely fine for now, didn't look too warn to me.
 
Does it have trouble starting?
300's a lot for disks but not from a main BMW dealer I guess, if they feel fine and pass an MOT then leave them
"slightly corroded"? heh, yeh right...
Fair point on replacing pads while youre doing disks, but I doubt the disks want doing
I just paid less than 15 quid for a new set of wiper blades, dont need a garage to fit!
 
All E46 tourings, whether Sport or SE had M Sport suspension and this IIRC is strut / damper and ARBs so those parts should be fine but I'm not sure on the difference. Have you checked Real OEM?

Tell them you'll get it aligned somewhere else. Although I was quoted £215+VAT for my E60 5er.
 
I questioned some of the costs, they said the wheel alignment was all labour costs, just over 2 hours to do all 4 wheels which seems pretty crazy. I guess I'll try and find a local specialist that has 4 wheel laser equipment.

Lucero: good to know on the suspension front, pretty sure I'd be able to fit them myself, well I've done it on other slightly less fancy cars...

iaind: the car turns the engine over pretty slowly, almost like the battery is going but they said it was fine and a tired starter motor. It gets a bit worse if trying to start when warm, sounds like it's just turning it over enough to catch instead of nice and quick like you'd expect.
 
Expect to pay around £100 for alignment on a Hunter machine (the same machine BMW would use). £300+ is a joke.

I think it's usually recommended to get both control arms done at the same time, and I believe it's £400-500 to get them both done. I would get phoning around.
 
Right, a few things.

a) Make sure you buy Lemforder arms, they are the OE supplier. Pattern parts are crap. GSF should sell them but they are more expensive.
b) Allignment should be done properly - as Nick says find somewhere with a hunter machine and pay £100. Any less than this and it isnt a proper job.
 
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I respectively disagree Mr Fox.

My local hunter machine will set me back £47.50 (it used to be £27.50) and they actually ask you if you want it set for the road or track :(

I conceed that this may be a minority event in all that is Hunter franchises, but still. :o
 
yeah, if adjustment is needed. It takes an hour. Never had issues with probably all 3 cars I've ever put through it in the last 5-7 years.
 
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GSF wishbones (and ECP ones) etc. are often a bit substandard and tend not to last.

BQ stands for Best/Better Quality IIRC.
 
[TW]Fox;13880950 said:
And you've had your 530d fully adjusted for this price?
Click to expand...

The 5 hasn't been done yet. It will be when I get my new tyres on the back. I was quoted £47.50 though and for them to have the car for an hour. To be fair, I've watched them do it numerous times.

Add weights (if necessary)
Attach 4 laser dishes, one to each wheel
Centre steering wheel and clamp
Get readings
Adjust if necessary (no more than a spanner job)
Job Done.

:)
 
[TW]Fox;13880950 said:
And you've had your 530d fully adjusted for this price?
Click to expand...

If you think it should be £100 upwards then you should go to the places in Newton Abbot that I use. Buyrite tyres do it for £20 or £25 and AMS who have a hunter machine do it for £60. Dont think it matters which car, they didnt even ask when I booked it.
 
Yeah sure. Just rang them actually as I wanted to check. To fit my new rear tyres and full alignment is £50 + VAT.

My local hunter duberry is Xchurch Tyre Centre: 01202 475206
 
Will have to look around, I now know what alignment I want, so I'd rather not spend another £100 for my alignment when changing ride height.
 
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